Booking.com

Amazon

Monday, May 18, 2015

The 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Indonesia

Indonesia
is one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world.
Incredible natural landscapes including stunning ocean views as much as
volcanoes, mountains and hills can be found across the country. Rich in
history and culture, Indonesia is also home to a number of charming
towns, ten of which we explore in the following list.

Bukittinggi

Bukittinggi is
a charming little inland town located in West Sumatra. Set against the
backdrop of two stunning mountains, and a beautiful canyon, Bukittinggi
offers incredible views, and fresh air. And in an incredibly hot and
humid country, a breath of cold air is always welcome! Cobbled stoned
alleys, colourful markets, and tasty street food can all be found around
the clock tower; the symbol of Bukittinggi. This small town is also a
cultural hub as it nurtures and preserves Minang traditions and customs.
Only a short distance away from the city centre, visitors can explore
traditional villages with houses which boast typical Minang
architecture.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta,
popularly referred to as Jogja, is one of the most charming towns in
Indonesia where tourists go to soak in local culture. It has endless
narrow alleys to get lost on while searching for street art, food
stalls, puppet makers, batik and silversmiths. Without doubt, Jogja is
the main cultural and historical hub in Java. It is the gateway to the
country’s most magnificent temples; namely Prambanan and Borobudur. A
visit there will certainly take you back in time to the two greatest
kingdoms; one Buddhist, the other Hindu.

Paragliding I Courtesy of Sarine Arslanian

Bogor

Just outside of Jakarta, Bogor is
the perfect weekend escape for Jakarta’s city dwellers. The town itself
is very charming, relaxing and green. It is home to the renowned
botanical gardens, and is surrounded by beautiful tea plantations, and
the Puncak mountain range. In addition to strolling around the botanical
gardens, going on a safari tour, a berry picking experience, and
paragliding in Puncak are some of the most famous activities that
tourists engage in when they visit Bogor.

Bandung

Located in West Java, Bandung is one of the coolest and most beautiful cities in Indonesia, often referred to as the Paris of
Java. It literally has something for everyone. Nature lovers will be
mesmerised by the scenic landscapes in and around the green city of
Bandung. Food lovers will find such a variety of mouth-watering dishes
and snacks that they will easily spend days savouring these delicacies.
Fashion lovers will be delighted to explore the many outlets in the
city. And finally, culture lovers will love the Angklung performances; a
traditional Sundanese musical instrument, and the art galleries.

Solo

Located in Central Java, Solo bears many similarities with its twin
sister,Jogja. However, as it is smaller in size and remains less
touristy, it has preserved much more of a local Javanese character.
Historically, Solo has been a major royal city, home to the royal
enclaves of the Mangkunegaran Principality and the Kasunanan Kingdom.
Today, the town has a thriving arts and culture scene and is a famous
centre of education. Batik is one of the art forms that they truly
master. Solo is also said to be home to the most softly spoken and
charming people in the region.

Malang

Situated in East Java, Malang is a stunning, cool and clean city in
Indonesia which used to be the seat of the Mataram Kingdom. It is also a
city which played an important role throughout history; this is
reflected in the many historical remnants which are scattered around
Malang. Rich in local culture, Malang has many temples that attract
local and foreign tourists. In addition to the beautiful architectural
sights of interest within the city, the stunning tea plantations,
waterfalls and mountains are must-visits. Malang is also home to many
beautiful beaches such as Balekambang, Ngliyep and Sendang Biru.

Batu

Back in colonial time, Batu used to be the charming and cool hill town that welcomed the Dutch who
went on retreats. Today, it is the wealthy Indonesians from East Java’s
bigger cities who travel there the most as they have built weekend
villas up there. The beautiful town is big in agriculture, and tourists
can see apple orchards and orchid nurseries everywhere. It is surrounded
by stunning mountains and hills all around, one of which, ‘Gunung
Banyak’, is used as the paragliding site for both national and
international competitions.

Manado

A stronghold of the Dutch in colonial days, Manado is home to the
Minahasa people, and their culture, traditions and architecture are
still preserved. Trade with the neighbouring Philippines,
and the spice trade with countries around the world were what made the
town prosper for a long time. However, since the bombings during World
War II, and the local insurgency of the 50s, most older buildings lie in
ruins. But the town remains prosperous in local standards, and is
interesting by the fact that, unlike most of the country which is
predominantly Muslim, they are mostly Christian in Manado. Manado is
also know for its cuisine; if you can handle spices, it is truly
delicious.

Padang

When Indonesians think about food, they regularly think about tasty
Padang food. Indeed, wherever you go in the country, you will find a
large number of Padang restaurants, which are very distinct with their
buffalo horn-like curved roofs. So what better place to visit to relax
and indulge in delicious food for some days? Historically, Padang has
been an important Dutch harbour town. Until today, the colonial days are
reflected in the city’s architecture and tourists can visit the very
colourful and charming Dutch old town, and the harbour. The old Chinatown is a worth a visit too!

Ubud

Located on the island of Bali, Ubud is a charming and relaxed rural
town with beautiful rice terraces. It is the island’s cultural hub as
many contemporary artists have decided to have their studios, and
galleries in the area. Ubud is also where exotic festivals take place,
and where tourists go for yoga retreats. Unlike other towns in Bali,
Ubud has managed to preserve the island’s colourful and rich Hindu
heritage. It has also managed to stay quiet and peaceful, far away from
the party scene of nearby Kuta.